How to Sell a Car Privately in California

Sources checked October 9, 2026 · Every rule below links to the official page it came from

Selling your car yourself in California comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the California Department of Motor Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.

Transferring the title

• The seller signs the title on Line 1 (the owner release line), and the buyer takes the signed title to the DMV. dmv.ca.gov
• If a title has several owners, the signature rules depend on how the names are joined: 'and' needs every owner, 'or' or 'and/or' needs only one. dmv.ca.gov
• The buyer fills in their own name, address, driver license or ID number, and the purchase price (or 'Gift' or 'Trade') on the title. dmv.ca.gov
• The buyer has 10 days after purchase to transfer ownership into their name, either by mail or at a DMV field office. dmv.ca.gov
• The transfer fee must be paid within 30 days of the transfer date to avoid a late penalty. dmv.ca.gov
• If the title is lost, stolen, or damaged, the seller completes an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) first. dmv.ca.gov

Bill of sale

• A signed bill of sale is needed if the person selling is not the owner named on the title; it must be signed by both the seller and the titled owner. dmv.ca.gov
• Any bill of sale that identifies the vehicle is acceptable; the DMV's optional form is REG 135. dmv.ca.gov
• A bill of sale does not need to be notarized or witnessed. dmv.ca.gov

Notarization

• A standard private sale does not need a notary; the title and bill of sale do not require notarization. dmv.ca.gov
• Section 5 of the replacement-title application (REG 227) must be notarized only if the registration shows a legal owner or lienholder. dmv.ca.gov

Odometer disclosure

• The seller writes the odometer reading on the title and the buyer signs to acknowledge the same reading; both need original handwritten signatures. dmv.ca.gov
• If the title has no mileage line (or is not available at sale), both parties complete the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment form (REG 262), which is only printed on security paper and not available online. dmv.ca.gov
• Transfers of California vehicles under 20 model years old need an odometer disclosure, so assume you need one. dmv.ca.gov
• If the seller never disclosed mileage and cannot be found, the buyer reports the reading and files a Statement of Facts (REG 256). dmv.ca.gov

License plates

• California plates generally remain with the vehicle they were issued to, rather than going with the seller. dmv.ca.gov
• Personalized, environmental, and some special plates may be moved to another vehicle by the owner for a fee. dmv.ca.gov
• The seller enters the plate number (without symbols) when filing the sale notice with the DMV. dmv.ca.gov

Inspections and emissions

• The seller must give the buyer a valid smog certification at sale. dmv.ca.gov
• If the car is under four years old, the seller does not need a smog inspection; the new owner pays a smog transfer fee instead. dmv.ca.gov
• Other exemptions listed include gasoline vehicles from 1975 or older, diesel vehicles from 1997 or older, and electric vehicles. dmv.ca.gov
• A car given by a close family member (spouse, partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild) generally needs no smog check unless that relative bought it for the recipient without titling it first. dmv.ca.gov

Telling the state you sold the car

• The seller must report the sale to the DMV within 5 calendar days using the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL). dmv.ca.gov
• It can be filed online at the DMV site or by mailing paper form REG 138; the seller should keep the confirmation as proof. dmv.ca.gov
• The form asks for the plate number, last five VIN digits, odometer reading, sale date, and the buyer's name and address (the seller may write 'unknown'), but missing information can jeopardize the liability protection. dmv.ca.gov
• Filing the NRL does not transfer ownership; the buyer must still complete the transfer and pay fees. dmv.ca.gov

Taxes and fees the buyer pays

• The buyer owes use tax on a private-party purchase, paid to the DMV when registering the vehicle, based on the full purchase price. cdtfa.ca.gov
• If use tax has not been paid through the DMV, it is due to the CDTFA by the end of the month after the month of purchase. cdtfa.ca.gov
• The tax rate follows the address where the vehicle is registered. cdtfa.ca.gov
• No use tax is owed on a true gift or on a sale from a qualifying family member (spouse or partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild), with documentation. cdtfa.ca.gov
• The buyer also pays transfer and registration fees, which the DMV's fee calculator estimates. dmv.ca.gov

Loans and liens

• A lienholder of record must release its interest on Line 2 of the title or on a Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release (REG 166) form. dmv.ca.gov
• For California-titled vehicles two model years old or newer, DMV does not accept other lien-release forms; the lienholder must request a replacement title. dmv.ca.gov
• A buyer who finances the purchase lists the new lienholder's name and address on the title; 'None' is entered if there is no lienholder. dmv.ca.gov

Easy-to-miss rules in this state

• The seller's 5-day NRL deadline and the buyer's 10-day transfer deadline are separate and both run from the sale date. dmv.ca.gov
• The odometer disclosure must be an original, hand-signed document; a photocopy is not accepted by the DMV. dmv.ca.gov
• After the sale is reported, the seller should stop getting renewal notices; if they still do, the DMV says to file another NRL. dmv.ca.gov
• If a previously registered vehicle's registration lapses at transfer, the buyer has 20 days from transfer to pay renewal fees without penalty. dmv.ca.gov

Official California resources

• CA DMV: Registering a vehicle purchased from a private party
• CA DMV: Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL)
• CA DMV: Title transfers and changes
• CA DMV: Smog inspections
• CA CDTFA: Use tax on vehicle purchases
• CA DMV: Bill of Sale (REG 135)

Next steps

Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.

More state guides

• Selling a car in Colorado
• Selling a car in Connecticut
• Selling a car in Delaware
• Selling a car in Florida
• All states